News / Development
Former Debenhams building ‘could be creatively adapted for reuse’
The 20th Century Society have become the latest to object to the proposed redevelopment of the former Debenhams in Bristol city centre.
The charity campaigns to save “outstanding buildings and design that have shaped the British landscape since 1914”.
In their opinion, the Debenhams building should be identified as a non-designated heritage asset “in recognition of its clear local historic significance and its architectural and townscape merit”.
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The 20th Century Society are among a number of organisations and individuals who are objecting to plans to demolish the existing buildings that would be replaced by a mixed-use development including a 28-storey tower as part of a development called Barr’s Street.
20th Century Society senior caseworker, Coco Whittaker, told Bristol24/7: “The Bristol Debenhams (formerly the Jones & Co department store) was a landmark building in the post-war reconstruction of Bristol’s shopping precinct which was devastated by wartime bombing.
“Designed in 1952-4 by the architectural practice of Healing & Overbury, the store opened in 1957 and was described by the local press as ‘an impressive Phoenix which has risen out of the dust of the Bristol blitz’.
“Structurally sound and capable of upwards extension, this impressive building could be creatively adapted for reuse.
“We should not be bulldozing perfectly good buildings like this, particularly knowing the climate cost of demolition over reuse.”
The 20th Century Society say that the former Debenhams building should be identified as a non-designated heritage asset “in recognition of its clear local historic significance and its architectural and townscape merit” – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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